Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Manuel I," located in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The overwhelming sense of age, almost decay. The reddish-brown patina speaks volumes—layers of history etched onto its surface. Curator: Indeed, these coins, authorized by Manuel I, were not just currency, but powerful declarations of his reign, emblems circulating throughout his domain. The imagery had to be carefully chosen to inspire confidence and legitimacy. Editor: And what imagery! The cross is quite prominent, a symbol steeped in spiritual and political weight. Its presence likely reassured the predominantly Christian population. Curator: Precisely. It’s a potent reminder of how even everyday objects served as instruments of ideological power. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated—a tangible link to a distant past. Curator: Absolutely, and the museum's role is to preserve and interpret these links. Editor: To ensure that their stories continue to be told.